Common Delays With Conveyancing

Buying or selling your home is exciting, but the legal process behind it can sometimes feel overwhelming. As your conveyancers, our job is to make the process as smooth and stress‑free as possible for you. Here are some common bumps in the road and how we aim to help you avoid or manage them.

1. Waiting for Documents

Sometimes key paperwork, such as title deeds or property information forms, take time to arrive from the seller. Without these, the legal work can’t fully begin.

How we help:
We request all essential documents upfront and keep in regular contact with the seller’s solicitor to try to ensure nothing holds up your transaction.

2. Delays with Searches

Property searches are a standard part of the process. They check things like planning issues, environmental risks, and drainage. Some local authorities return results quickly, but some can take a bit longer.

How we help:
We order your searches early and keep you updated on expected turnaround times. If a search reveals something unexpected, we explain what it means and how best to deal with it.

3. Tight Deadlines

Occasionally clients come to us with very short timescales -  for example, after buying at auction or entering a contract race. These situations can increase pressure and risk.

How we help:
We will always be honest with you about what is achievable. If timescales are unrealistic, we will let you know straight away and outline the safest options so you can make an informed decision.

4. Verifying Your Source of Funds

Because property transactions involve large sums of money, strict anti‑money‑laundering checks are required. Sometimes clients are surprised by how detailed these checks can be.

How we help:
We try to make the process straightforward by explaining exactly what evidence we need and why. Providing this early helps everything run smoothly later on. Unfortunately, this is not something we can avoid, but we will work with you to try and make this process as simple as possible.

5. High Volumes and Human Error

Conveyancing involves many moving parts - lenders, searches, enquiries, surveys, and more. In busy chains, small delays or missed information can cause knock‑on effects.

How we help:
We use robust internal checks and supervision to minimise risk. Every file is reviewed at key stages so nothing important is overlooked. Every one of our clients matter– you are not just a number.

6. Understanding the Process

The conveyancing timeline can feel confusing, especially for first‑time buyers. With unfamiliar terms like “exchange” and “completion”, it is easy to feel unsure of what’s happening and when.

How we help:
We aim to guide you step‑by‑step, explaining everything in clear, friendly language. You will always know what stage you're at, what happens next, and what (if anything) we need from you. You can read our guide to the Conveyancing Process here.

In Summary

While buying or selling a home can present challenges, most issues are entirely manageable with the right guidance. Our role is to anticipate potential problems, communicate clearly, and protect your interests at every stage - so you can focus on the excitement of your next move.